7 Snacks to Give You an Instant Energy Boost

These healthy bites are better than a morning wake up call.

Need a quick pick-me up? Nutritionist Dana James gives us the seven best snacks for sustainable energy and battling the afternoon slump. These healthy picks are all plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free, in other words, they're all-natural bites that don't contain any of the anti-nutrients that rob your body of energy and decrease your ability to concentrate. Here are the best things to eat to keep your mind sharp and brilliant pronto.

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7 Snacks to Give You an Instant Energy Boost

7 Snacks to Give You an Instant Energy Boost

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Chia Seed Pudding

Chia Seed Pudding

Skip the yogurt and enjoy chia seed pudding instead. Chia seeds were used by the Aztec and Mayan warriors for their energy enhancing and stamina-inducing properties. The chia seeds were so revered that the Aztecs offered them as gifts to the gods. The gift to you is a clear mind, improved mood, and consistent energy levels. Three tablespoons of chia seed have 12 grams of fiber, the same amount of protein as an egg, and more omega 3s than a piece of wild salmon.

Chia seed pudding is easy to make. Simply soak three tablespoons of chia seeds in 12 oz of unsweetened almond milk. Stir vigorously. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Chia seeds swell up to 10X their size and create a tapioca-type of consistency. Add fresh berries and coconut flakes for an extra burst of vitality.

7 Snacks to Give You an Instant Energy Boost

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Chia Seed Pudding

Skip the yogurt and enjoy chia seed pudding instead. Chia seeds were used by the Aztec and Mayan warriors for their energy enhancing and stamina-inducing properties. The chia seeds were so revered that the Aztecs offered them as gifts to the gods. The gift to you is a clear mind, improved mood, and consistent energy levels. Three tablespoons of chia seed have 12 grams of fiber, the same amount of protein as an egg, and more omega 3s than a piece of wild salmon.

Chia seed pudding is easy to make. Simply soak three tablespoons of chia seeds in 12 oz of unsweetened almond milk. Stir vigorously. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Chia seeds swell up to 10X their size and create a tapioca-type of consistency. Add fresh berries and coconut flakes for an extra burst of vitality.

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Green Juice

The ultimate energy booster. Green vegetable juices are loaded with antioxidants, phytonutrients, chlorophyll, magnesium, and potassium. No digestion is needed so your cells instantly gobble up these nutrients making you feel energized and alive.

Make sure the green juice is from vegetables and is not a fruit juice disguised as a green juice. Aim to keep the carbohydrate content below 20 grams. Above this and the juice is too sugary and may cause blood sugar fluctuations and energy drops.

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Brazil Nuts With Cacao Nibs and Coconut Flakes

Replace your trail mix with this metabolism-boosting blend. Brazil nuts are the richest dietary source of selenium, which helps boost the metabolism for greater energy levels. Cacao nibs have more antioxidant flavonoids than any other food plus they add a delicious hint of chocolate to the mix. Coconut flakes keep your energy levels up for longer. This blend is a perfect afternoon pick-me up.

Chop up four Brazil nuts and add 1 tablespoon of cacao nibs and 1 tablespoon of coconut flakes to the mix.

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Flax Crackers With Honey

Skip the afternoon cookie and dip raw flax crackers into honey instead. You'll get a touch of sweetness without the addition of butter and sugar used to make a cookie. Flax seed crackers are low in insulin-spiking carbohydrates, which can leave you feeling depleted and fatigued. Flax crackers are high in fiber and omega 3s which help to activate energy levels.

Dip 10 mini-flax crackers into 1 teaspoon of raw honey or spread the raw honey onto a large flax cracker. Just make sure the flax crackers are raw since heat destroys the delicate omega 3 oils in the flax seed.

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Curried Chickpeas

Chickpeas are rich in B vitamins and magnesium, which are both nutrients required for the production of energy molecules. Adding curry to the chickpeas not only gives a warming spicy flavor to the snack, but also an extra boost of antioxidants to protect the cells from free-radical damage. Damaged cells equal fatigue and malaise.

Drain a can of chickpeas and rinse in water. Dry with paper towels. Toss the chickpeas in 1 teaspoon of curry powder. Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a roasting pan. Add chickpeas to the roasting pan and cook for 30 minutes at 375 F. Makes two servings.

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Toasted Nori Wraps

Craving something salty? Skip the chips and have toasted nori instead. Nori is the sea vegetable used in sushi and has that "I want more" umami flavor. It is also the richest dietary source of iodine, which helps to activate the thyroid hormone so that food is converted to energy versus fat.

Eat on their own. Try SeaSnax or GimMe toasted nori sheets.

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Fresh Figs

Figs are rich in iron, which is an essential energy nutrient. Without sufficient iron in the body you'll feel fatigued and struggle to get out of bed in the morning. Eat the figs whole or serve them as a dessert drizzled in aged balsamic vinegar.

If you can't find fresh figs, use dried figs but keep the portion size limited to four. Any more than that and you'll start to stimulate blood sugar fluctuations and corresponding energy dips.